Operating mechanism for tank-car outlet valves



Dec. 11,1923. 1,476,722

c. E. MILLER OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TANK CAR OUTLET VALVES Dec. 11 1923; 1,476,722 c. E. MILLER l OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TANK CAR OUTLET VALVES y I Filed Nov. 26 1920 2 Shegts-Sheet 2 REZ. r3? y 6,/

5 E WM5.

Patented Dec. 11, 1923.

UNiTED srrss PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. MILLER, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TANK-CAR OUTLET VALVES.

Application med November 26, 1920. serial 110.426,36?.

T 0 alfwtom I? may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. MrLLnR,.

My invention relates to operating mechanism for tank car outlet valves, and has for one object to provide means whereby the outlet valve at the bottom of a tank car may be positively and finally seated by an operator at the top of the car. A vfurther object is to provide means for compensating for variations in pressure temperature and arrangement and position of the parts, whereby the valve will be kept seated under all conditions. Another object is to provide means for positively and permanently seatin the valve to prevent leakage. Other objects will appear from time to time in the specification.

' It is necessary, in connection with tank cars, to havea discharge or outlet valve, and this valve must be at the bottom of the tank. It takes the form normally of an opening with a seat, flat or beveled as the case may be. The valve itselfis merely a poppet valve adapted to be moved toward and from the seat; when raised it must be lifted high enough so as to permit a clear flow outwardly, through the valve opening, of the contents of the tank. Experience has shown that while the valve must be at the bottom of the tank the operating mechanism i has to be at the top, preferably in the tank dome. By my arrangement I provide an elongated slender valve rod extending clear up through the depthvof the tank. This rod is guided at its upper end and because it has at either end pivot pins perpendicular to each other and to the rod the rod forms what is, in effect, a universal joint, so that it cannot interfere with the proper seating of the valve. Associated with this rod I provide a screw and nut arrangement whereby the rod may be moved vertically to move the valve up and down, but in order Y to prevent buckling orbending of the rod I provide flexible means betweenthe rod and screw whereby tightening of the screw below a certain point at which the valve is seated tends merely to increase the pressure of the exible or elastic element, andi thus'evenj though the operator may tighten the -screw down farther than is necessary still the spring will take care of any increase in pressure and permit the rod to expand and contract under changes of temperature. I also provide a stop means whereby the operator cannot possibly work the screw down far enough to lock the spring.

My invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying f drawings, wherein- Figure 1 shows a side elevation in part section of that part of a tank car necessary to illustrate my device;

Figure 2 is a sectional view with parts omitted and parts broken away of 'my device; Y

Figure 3 a detailed section on a large scale through the spring element and tightening device.

Figures A and 5 are detail views of the valve stem guide.

Like Vparts are indicated j by like characters in the drawings.

A is `a tank car frame. I have not shown the trucks because they form no part of my invention. Mounted on this frame is the ordinary tank body A. At the bottom this body is apertured as at A2 and immediately below this aperture is a casting -A3 riveted to the body, having a discharge spout A4 and a valve seat A5. A6 -is the tank dome projecting upwardlv from the top of the tank. A7 is a manhole through the tank inside the dome, the diameter of the dome itself being appreciably greater than the' diameter of the hole in the shell of the tank. AS is a manhole cover inclos- -in a guideway in the bracket A11, so that vwhen the valve is Withdrawn from its seat .the application of my invention.

B is a valve stem.. ,It is pivotedto the valve byfmeans of a pinB1 wat its'lovver end.

is fissi/:ings eef/stira .der a may'changes might be Eiliade;"both size;

and has at its upper end a pin B2, the pins B1 and B2 being perpendicular to each other and also tothevalve stem itself. At B3 is shown the inwardly projecting portion of the wall of the tank within the dome. B4 is a bracket boltedto'themwallB3 forming a chord to the circle of the manhole A7. This bracket is cut away in-a semicircle as at B5 to engage and provide a guide for the valve stem B. B6 is a slotted plate adapted to be bolted to the bracket'B4 after the valve stem is in place, and this bracket and plate together form a guide for the upper end of the valve s'tem.r B7 is vwhat l have called a compensator or spring boX. It is connectedto the valve stem B by means ofV the ears B8 and the pin B2. B9 is ya screw projecting upwardly from the compensator B'I and rigidly attached thereto. B11 is a :nut in screw-threaded engagement with the screw and this nut is mounted on a bracket B11 projectingar upwardlyrom'the wall ofthe dome. B12 is a hand-wheel rigidlyl fastened to the screw, whereby the operator maymanipulate the screwand adjust the valve.

-L ln Figs. 2 andl 3 are shown enlarged views of this compensator, which comprises an Youter cup or housing C, into which is rigidly fastened by the nut C1 asishown the lower end of the screw B9. This housing Cris pro-` vided with a pluralityof `outwardly radial ly disposed lugs C2, and tothem is bolted ai' limiting ring C2 which extends inwardly a short distance beyond the in'n'er'wall of the housing.'v A:This housing also has about its periphery Aa plurality of' slots C4 eX tending downwardly' `to rthe' bottom of the housing and terminating at a point belowV its topE The bottomso'f these slot-sare closed lby the plate C3." G5 is a floating cup mounted for reciprocation within the housing, having lugs C6 projecting' outwardly to en# gage the Aslots Cig'andl on this lcup are mounted the lugs B8 which :pivotally carry the pin B2. The downward movement of this cup is, ofcourse, limited by the l'la'nge C3. C2 is a coil spring' vcontained within the housing and initially compressed between the'bottom of the' cup and the" top of the housing with a pressure in ordinary cases of from 200 tojlOQ pounds. VC2 is a stop collar associatedwith the; hand-wheel B12 and so' varranged that yit comes into engagement with :the topof the bracket B11, thus stopping further downward movement of the `screw before thespring can .besuliiciently compressed to bringfthev ledge'of' the cup against the trop vof the hcusing and thus nomatter how tightly the'operator tries to thefscrew he"cannotwftake'all the slack' lout of the spring and' thus'V the valve vis always seated'byfthe force ofthe spring.

Y While,,interessantaaihaveishow sa 1 shape and arrangement of parts, without departing materially from the spirit of my invention, and I wish, therefore, that my drawings be regarded as in a sense diagrammatic.

' vThe use and operation ot my invention are as follows:

When the tank car is empty the operator who desires to close the valve will open the manhole, reach in Linder the edgefarenough to grasp the hand-wheel he will rotate this wheel7 causing the compensator or spring box to rotate with thescrew and the valve stem and valvewill rotate at the same time. As the screw works down through the nut the parts will all go down, the valve being guided by the pin until the valve is seated. Further rotation of the screw will tend to increase the pressure on the spring beyond the initial 20() pound tension and cause the housing to come down, compressing the spring, but before the spring is completely compressed and the `compensator' collapsed to the 'point' at which the cup touchesthe top of the housing the stop associated withy the hand-wheel will come into'- contact with the bracket and vno further rotation of the screw will befpossible.

Frequently tank cars change in size and shape as the result of distortion in loading ork changes in temperature or abuse, and it may happen that the axis of the Avalve will be out offline with the screw. rlhe arrangementv whereby the valve stem is'pivoted at both ends along perpendicular lines provides a universal joint connection, making it certain that, even itl this happens, the valve stem will not interferewithV` the seating of the valve. The valve having been'permanently seated bythe compression of the spring, any change in the'relative lengthioff the valve stem and'diameter of the tank would only vary the tension on the spring and there will be no danger of 'buckling the valve or distorting` the tank.

As `fthe valve approaches its seat it is rotated andv it rotates or grinds its way down on the seat;l thus any obstructions rwhich may find their way between the valve and seat will tend to bey ground away as the valve is seated, and this grinding action will f reverse of this operationjtakes nplace and because the downward movement of vthe cup in the compensaton withu'e'spect to the il claim:

liiousing, is limited` bythe plate the 'screw A 'provides afpositive means for unseating the c 1. The combination with a valve and valve seat of means for simultaneously rotating and seating the valve, an elastic member interposed between the valve and seating means and adapted to be compressed when the valve is seated, and a universal joint connection between the valve and the elastic member.

2. The combination witha valve and valve seat of means for simultaneously rotating and seating the valve, an elastic member interposed between the valve and seating means and adapted to be gradually compressed as the valve is rotated after it reaches its seat, and a univeral joint connection between the valve and the elastic member.

3. The combination with a valve and valve seat of means for simultaneously rotating and seating the valve, an elastic member interposed between the valve and seating means and adapted to be compressed when the valve is seated, and a universal joint connection between the valve and the elastic member, said connection comprising a relatively long and flexible valve stem pivoted at its ends respectively on the valve andthe spring member, the pivot lines being perpendicular to one another and to the valve stem.

4. The combination 4with a valve and valve seat of means for simultaneously rotating and seating the valve, an elastic member interposed between the valve and seating means and adapted to be gradually compressed as the valve is rotated after it reaches its seat, and a univeral joint-connection between the valve and the elastic member,

said connection comprising a relatively long and flexible valve stem pivoted at its ends respectively on the valve and the spring member, the pivot lines being perpendicular to one another and to the valve stem.

The combination with a valve and valve seat of means for simultaneously rotating and seating the valve, an elastic member interposed between the valve and seating means and adapted to be compressed when the valve is seated, and a universal joint connection between the valve and the elastic member, a guide for the valve itself on the side thereof opposed to the seating member and a guide for the valve stem adjacent the elastic member.

5. The combination with a valve and valve seat of means for simultaneously rotating and seating the valve, an elastic member interposed between the valve and seating means and adapted to be gradually compressed as the valve is rotated after it reaches its seat, and a universal joint connection between the valve and the elastic member, a guide for the valve itself on the side thereof opposed to the seating member and a guide for the valve stem adjacent the elastic member.

7. The combination with a valve and valve seat of means for simultaneously rotating and seating the valve, an elastic member interposed between the valve and seating means and adapted to be compressed when the valve is seated, and a universal joint connection between the valve and the elastic member, said connection comprising a relatively long and flexible valve stem pivoted at its ends respectively on the valve and the spring member, the pivot lines being perpendicular to one another and to the valve stem, a guide for the valve itself on the side thereof opposed to the seating member and a guide for the valve stem adjacent the elastic member.

8. The combination with a valve and valve seat of means for simultaneously rotating and seating the valve, an elastic member interposed between the valve, and seating means and adapted to be gradually compressed as the valve is rotated after it reaches its seat, and a universal joint connection between the valve and the elastic member, said connection comprising a relatively long and flexible valve stem pivoted at its ends respectively on the valve and the spring member, the pivot lines being perpendicular to one another and to the valve stem.

9. In a tank ear a valve at the bottom of the tank, a valve seating member at the top of the tank, a long flexible valve Astem between the valve and the seating member and an elastic means interposed between the stem andthe seating member and arranged to permit expansion and contraction of the valve stem.

10. In a tank car a valve at the bottom of the tank, a valve seating member at the top of the tank, a long flexible valve stem between the valve and the seating member and an elastic means interposed between the stem and the seating member and arranged to permit expansion and contraction of the valve stem, a seating member comprising a screw and nut, a stop for the screw which comes into action before the spring member is completely collapsed.

ll. ln a tank car a valve at the bottom of the tank, a valve seating member at the top of the tank, a long flexible valve stem be tween the valve and the seating member and an elastic means interposed between the stem and the seating member and arranged to permit expansion and contraction of the valve stem, the valve being arranged to rotate both before and after it has been seated by the seating member.

12. ln a tank car a valve at the bottom of the tank, a valve seating member at the top of the tanlna long flexible valve stem between the valve and the seating member and an elastic means interposed between the stem and the seating member and arranged to permit expansion and contraction of the valve stem, a seating member comprising a screw and nut, a stop for the screw which comes into action before the spring member is completely collapsed, the valve beingV arranged to rotate both before and after it has been seated by the seating member.

i 13. in a. tank car a valve at the bottom of the tank, ayalve seating member at the top of the tank, a long flexible valve stem between the valve and the seating' member and an elastic n'ieans interposed between the stem and the seating member and arranged to permit expansion and contraction of the valve stem, the valve seating member being adapted after the valve has seated, to rotate the valve and simultaneously increase the compression of the spring seating the valve. 1a. In a tank car a Valve at the bottom of the tank, a valve seating member at the top of the tank, a long flexible valve stein between the valve and the seating member and an elastic means interposed between the stem and the seating member and arranged to permit expansion and contraction of the valve stem, a seating member comprising a screw and nut, a stop for the screw which comes into action before the spring member is completely collapsed, the valve seating member being adapted after the valve has seated, to rotate the valve and simultaneously increase the compression of the springseating the valve.

15. ln a tank car a valve at the bottom of the tank, a valve seating member at the top of the tank, a long flexible `valve stem between the valve and the seating member and an elastic means interposed between the stem and the seating member andarranged to permit expansion and contraction of the valve stem, the valve being arranged to rotate both before and after it has been seated by the seating member, the valve seating member boing adapted after the valve has seated to rotate the valve and simultaneously increase the compression of the spring seating the valve.

16. In a tank car a valve at the bottom of the tank, a valve seating member at the top of the tank, a. long flexible -valve stem be- Ytween the valve and the seating member and an elastic means interposed between the stem and the seating member and arranged to permit expansion and contraction of the valve stem, a seating member comprising a screw and nut, astop for the screw which comes into action before the springmember is completely collapsed, the valve being arranged to rotate both before and after it has been seated by the seating' member, the Valve seating member being` adapted after the valve has seated, to` rotate the valve-and simultaneously increase the compression of the spring seating the valve.

1 7. ln a tank car a valve at the bottom of the tank, a screw and' nut at the top, a long fiexible valve stem between them, means for rotating the downward movement of the screw and a spring member interposed Ybetween the screw and stem, the parts being arranged so that the downward movement of the screw is stopped before the spring is completely compressed.

18. The combination with a valve of a screw adapted to seat it, a valve stem associated with thevalve, a compensating de? thereto, a spring within the housing interV posed between the cup and the housing, the valve stem being mounted in the cup, means for limiting vthe downward movement of the cup in response to the pressureof the spring.

- 20. The combination with a valve of a Vscrew adapted to seat it, a valve stem assolelated with the valve, a compensatingdevice interposed between the stem and the screw comprising a housing, a cup'slidable therein but `held against rotation with respect thereto, a spring within the housing interposed between the cup and the housing, the valve stem being mounted in the cup, a universal joint connection including the valve stem between the cup and the valve.

Signed at Chicago, county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 22 day of November, 1920.

CHARLES E. MILLER. 

